System and method for dispensing a minimum quantity of cutting fluid

ABSTRACT

Devices, systems, and methods are provided for controlling a quantity of cutting fluid dispensed for a cutting tool within a CNC or other machining system. The devices, systems, and methods may include controlling multiple fluids such that coolant, lubricant, or other fluids can be delivered at different locations, at different flow rates, have their flow rates changed independently, and/or have their flow rates changed dynamically during a machining operation. In some embodiments, a feedback loop or input may be provided to obtain and/or provide information regarding the machining operation—such as cutting force, cutting temperature, cutting friction, machining operation, tool in use, work piece geometry, and/or material—and automatically and/or independently modify the fluid flow rates. The fluid may be atomized with air or other gases to minimize the quantities of fluid used. Components in the system may be modular to allow the system to be used with existing and new machining technologies.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/984,269, filed Mar. 24, 2014, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHODFOR DISPENSING A MINIMUM QUANTITY OF CUTTING FLUID”, which claims thebenefit of and priority to PCT Patent Application Ser. No.PCT/US2012/024278, filed Feb. 8, 2012, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FORDISPENSING A MINIMUM QUANTITY OF CUTTING FLUID”, which claims thebenefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/440,852, filed Feb. 8, 2011, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FORDISPENSING A MINIMUM QUANTITY OF CUTTING FLUID”, which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to machining processes. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods forcontrolling delivery of cutting fluid, coolant, lubricant, air, or anycombination of the foregoing to performing a machining operation. Moreparticularly still, the present disclosure relates to a system providingreal time, dynamic, and independent control of flow of a combination ofone or more of cutting fluid, coolant, lubricant, air, and/or othergases.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The modern manufacturing industry relies heavily on computer numericalcontrolled (CNC) machining tools and operations, particularly in thefabrication of metal components. An integral part of such machiningprocesses is the use of cutting fluids. In particular, dating at leastback to the work of F. W. Taylor in 1907, it was identified that if afluid is applied to a cutting tool during a machining operation, thetool life can be increased, even if the fluid is water. Significantresearch has been conducted since that time to identify particularchemical compounds—including oils—that further the goal of increasedtool life. Moreover, such research has expanded beyond the mere goal ofimproved tool life as the use and formulations of cutting fluids arealso impacted by goals of obtaining higher quality surface finishes andreducing required cutting forces.

In a typical arrangement, a traditional CNC process applies cuttingfluids using a flood application. In particular, a cutting fluid systemwithin a CNC machining center applies a heavy and continuous jet orstream of cutting fluid to a cutting zone. The applied cutting fluid canfacilitate cooling and/or lubrication of the cutting tools, and can alsofacilitate removal of chips of the cut-away materials. For instance, thecutting fluid may exit the cutting zone and carry the machined chipsunder gravity flow and into a chute where the chips can be filtered fromat least some of the cutting fluid.

While a flood application of cutting fluid may generally be consideredas facilitating the obtaining of desired results in terms of toolcooling and lubrication, obtaining those results can come at asignificant cost. Such costs may be direct as well as indirect. Forinstance, resulting from the continuous stream of cutting fluid duringmachining, enormous quantities of cutting fluids can be consumed.Indeed, in some cases, cutting fluids may flow at a rate of over fiveliters per minute. Even where some of the cutting fluids can be cleanedand recovered for recycled use, a cutting fluid system used with a CNCmachine may consume a large amount of cutting fluids. The cutting fluidscarry with them direct costs not only in terms of the amount required tobuy the fluid, but also the cost associated with storage and handlingthe cutting fluid. A machine shop may need to store large amounts ofcutting fluid on the shop floor for all the manufacturing operations,thereby consuming valuable floor space. Used cutting fluids are alsocollected from the machines for recycling or disposal, and thereservoirs storing the reusable or disposable fluid also consumes floorspace.

Additional costs may be incurred as a result of the handling processesused in connection with cutting fluids. Cutting fluids may containhazardous wastes, so specific procedures may be implemented to handlethe cutting fluids. Additionally, material chips may be recycled;however, because they can be covered in cutting fluids, specialized orcostly equipment may be required to remove the cutting fluids, includingresidues or byproducts, from the chips and then to dry the chips thatare fit for recycling.

On a global level, there is a groundswell of support for environmentallybenign manufacturing processes. For metal machining manufacturing, theextreme consumption of cutting fluids, as well as the hazardous natureof some cutting fluids or cutting fluid components places such processesoutside the realm of environmentally benign or sustainable processes.For instance, cutting fluids can pose environmental and economic risksas a result of toxic mist generation, liquid waste disposal, reducedrecyclability of chips, and high maintenance costs.

Research into bringing metal machining into alignment with environmentaland sustainability initiatives has result in some additional options formachine shops. For instance, one option is known as minimum quantitylubrication (MQL) which uses small amounts of lubricant in an atomizedspray. Such a process greatly reduces the amount of fluid used; however,the process may primarily provide lubrication while being less effectivein providing cooling to the cutting tool and/or work material. Due toreduced cooling, there may be thermal build-up that results in increasedtool-wear, thermal distortion of work parts, and other less thandesirable effects.

Other research has been conducted by advocates of “dry” or “near-dry”machining. Other efforts have been made to develop biodegradable cuttingfluids. However, even bio-degradable cutting fluids are not totally safeas they may become mixed with machine oils, grease and lubricants usedin machining.

The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments thatsolve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such asthose described above. Rather, this background is only provided toillustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodimentsdescribed herein may be practiced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Example embodiments within the present disclosure relate to devices,systems, and methods for reducing and possibly minimizing the usage ofcutting fluids while still obtaining desired tool wear, surface finish,surface integrity, cutting force, cutting temperature, or frictionalcharacteristics. Additional example embodiments of the presentdisclosure may relate to systems, devices, and methods for controllingthe quantity of fluid used. Such control is optionally dynamic based onany of a variety of parameters (e.g., type of work material, type ofmachining operation, cutting tool, cutting force, etc.). Still otherexample embodiments may relate to systems, devices, and methods thatemploy the use of multiple fluids, any or all of which may beindependently and dynamically controlled.

In an embodiment, a cutting fluid dispensing system may include a fluidreservoir, and a fluid transport control system hydraulically linked tothe fluid reservoir. The fluid transport control system may beconfigured to retrieve a fluid from the fluid reservoir. The system mayalso include an air source and an air transport control systempneumatically linked to the air source. The air transport control systemmay be configured to receive air from the air source. The system mayalso include a processing component configured to dynamically control atleast one of air flow conditions using the air transport control systemor fluid flow conditions using the fluid transport control system duringa machining operation.

In an embodiment, a minimum quantity cutting fluid (MQCF) dispensingsystem may include a first fluid reservoir and a first pumphydraulically configured to retrieve a first fluid from the first fluidreservoir. The system may also include a second fluid reservoir and asecond pump hydraulically configured to retrieve a second fluid from thesecond fluid reservoir. The system may also include a processingcomponent communicatively coupled to the first pump and the second pump,wherein the processing component is configured to transmit a firstsignal to the first pump and a second signal to the second pump. Thefirst and second signals may be dynamically and independently changeableby the processing component. The system may also include an aircompressor and a valve pneumatically configured to receive air from theair compressor. The processing component may be communicatively coupledto the valve and configured to transmit a third signal to the valve. Thethird signal may be dynamically and independently changeable, relativeto the first and second signals by the processing components. The systemmay also include one or more input devices configured to obtaininformation including measurable data relative to a work piece inproduction within a cutting machine or data regarding a tool or processperformed by the cutting machine. The one or more input devices may beconfigured to communicate the obtained information to the processingcomponent.

In another embodiment, a minimum quantity cutting fluid (MQCF)dispensing system may include at least two reservoirs containingdifferent liquids. The system may also include at least two pumps, eachof the two pumps may have an input that is hydraulically connected to arespective one of the two reservoirs. Each of the two pumps may alsohave a hydraulic output and may be configured to change a flow rate atthe hydraulic output in response to a received analog voltage signal.The system may also include an air compressor and a voltage-to-pneumatictransducer having an input pneumatically connected to the aircompressor. The voltage-to-pneumatic transducer may include a pneumaticoutput and may be configured to change an air pressure pneumatic outputin response to a received analog voltage signal. The system may alsoinclude a combined air filter, drain, and pressure gage interposingbetween the air compressor and the voltage-to-pneumatic transducer. Thesystem may also include a junction linked to each of the hydraulicoutputs of the two pumps and the pneumatic output of thevoltage-to-pneumatic transducer. The junction may include an outputconfigured to place hydraulic lines corresponding to the hydraulicoutputs coaxial to, and within, a pneumatic line corresponding to thepneumatic output. The system may also include a nozzle configured toreceive the hydraulic lines and the pneumatic line and combine the sameinto a single directed at a cutting tool of a CNC machining system. Thesystem may also include a control system that includes a CPU configuredto produce one or more digital signals. The control system may alsoinclude a digital-to-analog converter configured to receive the digitalsignals and transform the digital signals into at least three analogvoltage signals. The control system may also include a signal filterconfigured to receive the three analog voltage signals and direct afirst analog voltage signal to the voltage-pneumatic transducer. Thecontrol system may also include at least two controllers. Each of thecontrollers may be configured to receive one of other analog voltagesignals and transform the received voltage signal into a signalunderstandable by a corresponding one of the pumps. The control systemmay also include a digital input configured to determine a valuerepresentative of a cutting force at the cutting tool and transmit thevalue to the CPU. The control system may also include ananalog-to-digital converter configured to receive the value and convertthe value to a digital signal. The CPU may include logic that includesinstructions on how to modify each of the flow rates and the airpressure automatically, without user intervention, and dynamically inresponse to the cutting force at the cutting tool.

In another embodiment, a method for machining a work piece may includebeginning a machining operation with a CNC machining system. The methodmay also include initiating a flow of at least two of a lubricant, acoolant, or air through a transport control system directed at a cuttingtool of the CNC machining system. The method may also include evaluatinga machining parameter of the machining operation and determining thatthe machining parameter has changed. In response to determining that themachining parameter has changed, the method may include dynamically andwithout user intervention changing two or more of a lubricant flow rate,a coolant flow rate, or an air pressure.

Additional features and advantages of example embodiments will be setforth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious fromthe description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention. Thefeatures and advantages of the embodiments herein may be realized andobtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularlypointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of thepresent disclosure will become more fully apparent from the followingdescription and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice ofthe invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the embodiments of this disclosure will beapparent from the detailed description that follows, and which taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings and attachments togetherillustrate and describe exemplary features of the disclosure herein. Itis understood that these drawings merely depict exemplary embodimentsand are not, therefore, to be considered limiting of its scope.Additionally, the drawings are generally drawn to scale for some exampleembodiments; however, it should be understood that the scale may bevaried and the illustrated embodiments are not necessarily drawn toscale for all embodiments encompassed herein.

Furthermore, it will be readily appreciated that the components of theillustrative embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in thefigures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety ofdifferent configurations, and that components within some figures areinterchangeable with, or may supplement, features and componentsillustrated in other figures. Nonetheless, various particularembodiments of this disclosure will be described and explained withadditional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an exemplary cutting fluid dispensingsystem according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an exemplary cutting fluid dispensingsystem according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an exemplary cutting fluid dispensingsystem according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an exemplary cutting fluid dispensingsystem according to a further exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an exemplary cutting fluid dispensingsystem according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an exemplary cutting fluid dispensingsystem according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an exemplary method for machining an elementand dynamically and independently controlling various fluid flow ratesand pressures based on identified machining parameters.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments described herein generally extend to devices, systems,and methods for minimizing cutting fluid applied to a cutting zone in amachining operation. In some embodiments, one or more liquid or gaseousfluids can be applied to a cutting zone at a variable flow rate orpressure. The flow rate or pressure may be dynamically determined and/orcontrolled based on various parameters of the machining operation, andeach of the one or more fluids can flow at a rate that is independent ofother fluids. In other embodiments, the flow rate or pressure may bedynamically determined and/or controlled based on manual user inputs,automated inputs, or the like.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a cutting fluid dispensing systemaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG.1, a cutting fluid dispensing system 100 may include access to a fluidreservoir 102. Cutting fluid within the fluid reservoir 102 may bepumped to a work piece 110. Cutting fluid may include coolants,lubricants, oils, water, oil-water emulsions, paste, gels, combinationsthereof, or other suitable fluids. In this embodiment, a pump 104 isused for this process. More particularly, the pump 104 is in fluidcommunication with the fluid in the fluid reservoir 102. As the pump 104is activated, fluid moves from the fluid reservoir 102 and towards anozzle 106 that is directed at the cutting zone. In particular, thenozzle 106 is directed generally towards the work piece 110, a cuttingtool 108 that is performing a machining operation on the work piece 110,or at an interface between the cutting tool 108 and the work piece 110.

The fluid may lubricate and/or cool the cutting tool 108 during themachining operation. As a result, application of the fluid may prolongthe life of the cutting tool 108, reduce cutting forces, or improvesurface finish characteristics of the cut work piece 110. To performsuch a function, the fluid may be applied in a jet or stream and at arelatively high flow volume. For instance, the fluid may be appliedbetween a rate of one to five liters per minute, although the rate mayat times be larger or smaller. For instance, the flow rate may exceedfive liters per minute, or may be less than one liter per minute. By wayof illustration, the flow rate may be between one hundred cubiccentimeters per minute and one liter per minute.

As the work piece 110 is cut or otherwise machined by the cutting tool108, portions of the work piece 110 may be removed. Such portions areillustrated in FIG. 1 as chips 114. In the illustrated system, the chips114 are acted upon by gravity, and fall away from the work piece 110. Insome cases, the chips 114 may be made of a material that can be recycledor reused in some manner. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 1, the chips 114may be gravity or otherwise fed towards a filter 116. The filter 116 maybe used to filter chips 114 for recycling or reuse, or to filter thechips 114 out of excess cutting fluid 118 so that the excess cuttingfluid 118 can be reused.

More particularly, due to the flow rate of the cutting fluid, the chips114 may be covered in cutting fluid as they are directed towards thefilter 116. To reuse the chips 114 or the cutting fluid, the chips 114and cutting fluid may be separated. The filter 116 thus provides thisfeature. As the cutting fluid passes through the filter 116, the chips114 may be removed and the excess cutting fluid 118 may be directed,potentially as reusable cutting fluid, into a reservoir 120. Thereservoir 120 may store the reusable cutting fluid until it is needed,or may feed back into the fluid reservoir 102 to form a substantiallyclosed fluid circuit.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an exemplary cutting fluid dispensingsystem according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. A cutting fluid dispensing system 200 may deliver a cuttingfluid or lubricant along with a carrier gas into a spindle while amixing device 212 generates the oil-mist that is delivered to a tool tip(not shown). In one embodiment, the mixing device 212 may be a nozzle.As shown in FIG. 2, the system 200 may also include a fluid reservoir202. The fluid reservoir 202 may contain the lubricant that ultimatelywill be applied to the tool tip. In this embodiment, an air source 204may also be provided. The air source 204 may, for instance, include acompressor, a container, a pressurized vessel, a tank, an accumulator,or other suitable component that can store and provide air to the system200.

A controller 206 may be integrated with the system 200. The controller206 can be used to regulate the supply of lubricant that is provided tothe mixing device 212. The controller 206 may also, for instance,control a timer 208 that assists in delivering a desired amount of airto the mixing device 212. The controller 206 can control air andlubricant flow such that the cutting fluid flows at about five hundredmillimeters an hour. The air and lubricant can pass through amulti-channel rotary joint 210 and from there be directed into themixing device 212. Although not illustrated, the system 200 may alsoaddress chip transport. For instance, the system 200 may include agravity feed that uses gravity to cause the chips to fall from machiningand clear the cutting zone. Alternatively, a shrouded tool holder methodmay be employed to have a vacuum suck chips away from the cutting zoneand transport them to a location outside of the system 200.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an exemplary cutting fluid dispensingsystem according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In particular, the illustrated embodiment schematicallyshows a cutting fluid dispensing system 300 that may be used to supplycutting fluids to a cutting zone. The cutting fluids may includelubricants, coolants, oils, water, oil-water emulsions, paste, gels,combinations thereof, or other suitable cutting fluids. In oneembodiment, the system 300 may be a minimum quantity cutting fluid(“MQCF”) dispensing system. Furthermore, in some embodiments, theamounts of cutting fluids may be dynamically controlled, independent ofeach other, such that as machining parameters of a cutting machinechange, the system 300 can automatically adjust the flow of fluids toaccount for such changes.

In FIG. 3, the system 300 may include two fluid reservoirs 302, 303. Thefluid reservoirs 302, 303 may contain different fluids. For instance, inone embodiment, one of the reservoirs 302, 303 may contain a coolantwhile the other may contain a lubricant. In other embodiments, however,both reservoirs 302, 303 may contain coolants or both may containlubricants. For instance, different types of lubricant or coolant may bepreferred for certain cutting operations, tools, or work piecematerials. Thus, based on these parameters, different fluids, ordifferent quantities of fluids, may be applied. In other embodiments,the system may include three, four, five, six, or another suitablenumber of reservoirs containing the same or different fluids.

The fluid reservoirs 302, 303 may each be in fluid communication with atransport control system or a fluid transport control system. In theillustrated embodiment, for instance, fluid in the fluid reservoir 302may be moved by using a pump 310, while a separate pump 311 may be usedto move the fluid in the second fluid reservoir 303. The pumps 310, 311may have any of a number of different constructions. For instance, inone embodiment, the pumps 310, 311 may be fixed, positive displacementpumps, although the pumps 310, 311 may also be variable displacementpumps or micropumps. The pumps 310, 311 may also be fluid mixing pumpsor venturi systems in still other embodiments. According to someaspects, the pumps 310, 311 may be metering pumps that can, forinstance, vary the flow rate based on an input such that a wide range offlow types can be provided, the flow types ranging from droplets toaerosol flow. For instance, where the pumps 310, 311 are electric pumps,the flow rate may be varied based on the current or voltage supplied tothe respective pump 310, 311. In other embodiments, the system 300 mayinclude one, three, five, or any other suitable number of pumps or othersuitable types of fluid movement devices.

In an embodiment, the pumps 310, 311 may be communicatively linked to aprocessing component 306. The processing component 306 may, forinstance, be a computing device, a microprocessor, a dedicated hardwarecontroller, a programmable logic controller (PLC), a CNC controller orsensor, combinations thereof, or any other suitable processingcomponent. In one embodiment, the processing component 306 may vary theinput to the pumps 310, 311. For instance, as noted previously, thepumps 310, 311 can be electric pumps that adjust the flow rate based ona supplied current or voltage. According to one embodiment, theprocessing component 306 may supply a current or voltage to the pumps310, 311 and thus control changes in flow rates of the fluids in therespective reservoirs 302, 303. In some embodiments, the processingcomponent 306 may vary inputs to the pumps 310, 311 based on a feedbackloop including one or more sensors, input devices, measuring devices,and/or or other suitable devices. In other embodiments, the processingcomponent 306 may be preprogrammed to vary inputs to the pumps 310,311according to instructions included within software or one or moreprograms. In yet other embodiments, the processing component may beprogrammable by a user to vary inputs to the pumps 310, 311 according touser specified instructions.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, communication links between the processingcomponent 306 and the pumps 310, 311 (shown in dashed lines) areseparate and independent. As a result, the processing component 306 mayalso be able to control the pump 310 independent of the pump 311. Forinstance, the voltage or current supplied to the pump 310 may beincreased or decreased by a particular amount, while the current orvoltage supplied to the pump 311 may remain unchanged, change in anopposite direction as compared to that of the pump 310, or increase ordecrease with pump 310, but by a different amount or percentage.

As fluid flows from the reservoirs 302, 303 as controlled by the pumps310, 311, the fluid(s) may be directed towards a cutting zone of acutting machine (not shown). In one embodiment, a nozzle 312 may bedirected at the cutting zone. In particular, the nozzle 312 may bedirected generally towards a work piece, the cutting tool that isperforming a machining operation on the work piece, or at an interfacebetween the cutting tool and the work piece.

The nozzle 312 may be in fluid communication with the pumps 310, 311such that the fluids pumped therethrough can each reach and be sentthrough the nozzle 312. At the nozzle, the fluids may irrigate the workpiece, and can do so according to any of a variety of different flowrates. For instance, the pumped fluids may be pumped at a high flow rate(e.g. similar to flooding) or at a lower flow rate (e.g., on the orderof milliliters per hour). Depending on the flow rate, the nozzle 312 maydirect fluid such that it drips into the cutting zone, or is streamedinto the cutting zone.

In some embodiments, the nozzle 312 may direct an atomized flow offluids onto the cutting zone. By way of illustration, FIG. 3 illustratesa container 304. The container 304 may be a compressor, a tank, avessel, cylinder, and/or other type of source for air and/or other gases(e.g., argon, helium, carbon dioxide, and/or nitrogen). As further shownin FIG. 3, the container 304 may be in communication with an airtransport control system including a transducer or a valve 308 that maycontrol the flow conditions (e.g., flow rate, pressure, velocity) of theair and/or other gases as the air and/or other gases exits the container304 and moves towards the nozzle 312. As with the pumps 310, 311, theprocessing component 306 may communicate with the valve 308 toselectively and/or dynamically control the air pressure within the linesextending between the valve 308 and the nozzle 312.

In one embodiment, by controlling the air flow rate and/or air pressureat the valve 308, the processing component 306 can control the manner inwhich the fluids from reservoirs 302, 303 are applied to the cuttingzone by the nozzle 312. For instance, the processing component 306 maydirect the valve 308 to allow a very low air pressure, or to shut offthe supply of air to the nozzle 312 such that the flow may be dictatedentirely by the flow rate of the coolant, lubricant, or other fluids. Inanother embodiment, the valve 308 may be directed to allow higher airpressures to pass towards the nozzle 312 such that the air can, at ornear the nozzle 312, be combined into an air and fluid spray in whichthe air carries the fluid as small droplets within an atomized flow.

From the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the flow and pressureof the various fluids in the system 300 can be widely varied. Forexample, by shutting off any or all of the pumps 310, 311 and/or valve308 independently, the system 300 can be used to deliver coolant alone,lubricant alone, air alone, lubricant and air, coolant and air,lubricant and coolant, lubricant and coolant and air, or any combinationof multiple lubricants, or coolants.

As also illustrated in FIG. 3, in some embodiments a feedback loop maybe used to provide information to the processing component 306 of thesystem 300. For instance, a feedback loop may be used to provide theprocessing component 306 with information about the operation of thenozzle 312 or any number of other factors. For instance, the feedbackloop may be tied into one or more sensors 313 that directly orindirectly measure the flow rate of a coolant, lubricant, air, gas, orother fluid within the system 300. Based on the measured value, theprocessing component 306 may adjust the operation of pumps 310, 311 orvalve 308 to obtain a desired value. The feedback loop may also includeother information. For instance, sensors, a measurement tool, and/orother sensing devices may be placed at the cutting zone to measure thecutting force of a cutting tool or cutting machine. In one embodiment,different fluids or fluid flow conditions (e.g., pressure, velocity,flow rate, volume) may be desired as the cutting force changes.Accordingly, as the processing component 306 may be informed of a changein the cutting force, the processing component 306 may access adatabase, logic, or some other structure or module to determine a mannerin which the flow conditions within the system 300 may be varied. Forinstance, in an embodiment, the processing component 306 may access adatabase, the database may be a machining database that may include afactor used by decision making logic implemented by, or accessible to,the processing component 306. The machining database may facilitate adetermination of a desired process output for a particular combinationof tool and work materials. A desired output may be provided in thedatabase, or parameters or other information may be determined by logicthat is predefined in system software, hardware, firmware, or in acombination of the foregoing. Cutting machine and/or cutting fluidmachining system performance may also be monitored using sensingdevices, and performance determinations may be used to update thedatabase.

In still other embodiments, the processing component 306 may be madeaware of changes in tooling, cut types, or material, and base changes tothe flow conditions thereon. For instance, if the processing component306 is made aware that a “parting off” or “deep groove turning” processis being performed by the cutting machine, a higher quantity of coolantmay be applied to transport heat generated at a tool-work pieceinterface. Coolant flow in such operations may be higher when comparedto, for instance, operations such as “thread cutting” which have a highpriority placed on surface quality and typically are formed withincreased lubrication. In still another embodiment, the processingcomponent 306 may communicate or be integral with a controller thatcontrols the machining operations. The controller controlling themachining operations may thus make the processing component 306 aware ofthe particular code (e.g., G & M code) being used, the tooling ormachining process being used, or the like, and the processing component306 may use that information to direct operation of the pumps 310, 311and/or valve 308. The processing component 306 may also be used tocalculate, or access a determined calculation, of a machining operationtype and then synchronize the cutting fluid machining system withoperations of the cutting machine.

Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5, additional cutting fluid dispensingsystems 400, 500 are illustrated with various types of constructions.FIG. 4, for instance, illustrates a system 400 in which air and/or othergases (e.g., argon, helium, and/or nitrogen) may be supplied by an airsource 404, and cutting fluid is available from a single fluid reservoir402. In FIG. 5, however, the system 500 has a supply of air and/or othergases (e.g., argon, helium, and/or nitrogen) using an air source 504,while fluids are available from two separate fluid reservoirs 502, 503.It should be appreciated that these embodiments are merely illustrative,and that other embodiments are contemplated herein. For example, theremay be more than two fluid reservoirs. This may be the case where, forinstance, different types of coolants and/or lubricants are desirablefor different work piece materials, machining operations, tools, and thelike.

With reference now to FIG. 4, the cutting fluid dispensing system 400 isshown as including a processing component that may dynamically controloperation of a pump 410 and/or a transducer 408. As discussed below, insome embodiments, the processing component may dynamically controloperation of the pump 410 and/or the transducer 408 based on a feedbackloop including one or more sensors or other input devices. In otherembodiments, the processing component may be preprogrammed todynamically control operation of the pump 410 and/or the transducer 408according to instructions included within software or one or moreprograms. In yet other embodiments, the processing component may beprogrammable by a user to dynamically control operation of the pump 410and/or the transducer 408 according to user specified instructions. Forexample, a user may program the processing component to dynamicallycontrol operation of the pump 410 based on a pre-specified temperaturerange of a work piece such that volume and/or flow rate of coolant beingdispensed may be modified if the temperature of the work piece isdetermined to be within or outside the pre-specified temperature range.In one embodiment, the processing component may be a central processingunit (“CPU”) 406. In other embodiments, the processing component may,for instance, be a computing device, a microprocessor, a dedicatedhardware controller, a programmable logic controller (PLC), a CNCcontroller or sensor, combinations thereof, or any other suitableprocessing component.

The transducer 408 may be a type of valve, a sensor/detector, a photonictransducer, a pressure transducer, an electro-mechanical, anelectromagnetic transducer, a photovoltaic transducer, an acoustictransducer, a thermal transducer, a chemical transducer, or any othersuitable type of transducer. In one embodiment, the transducer 408 maybe a pneumatic transducer. The system 400 may have an air transportcontrol system including at least the transducer 408 to control flowconditions of air and/or other gases (e.g., pressure, flow rate,velocity, temperature) within the system 400, and particularly at anozzle 412. For instance, in one embodiment, the transducer 408 may varythe air pressure allowed to pass through the transducer 408 in responseto a received voltage signal. As an analog voltage is applied, forinstance, the changes in voltage may result in various allowed airpressures. For instance, the transducer 408 may control air pressurebased on a linear, parabolic, exponential or other type of relationshipbetween a received voltage/current and air pressure. In one embodiment,the transducer 408 may control air pressure based on a linearrelationship between the received voltage (V) and pressure (P), whereinP=3248.4V−16072, although this is exemplary only. According to oneembodiment, the transducer 408 may be configured to allow an input rangeof about zero (0) pounds per square inch (“psi”) to one hundred thirty(130) psi of air pressure and/or an output range of about two (2) psi toone hundred (100) psi of air pressure. In other embodiments, the inputand/or output range may be larger and/or smaller. The transducer 408 mayalso include internal solid-state feedback circuitry configured toprovide precise control of air pressure output. In other embodiments,the internal solid-state feedback circuitry may be omitted.

In the illustrated system 400, the CPU 406 may be a digital component.In some cases, the pump 410 and/or transducer 408 may understand analograther than digital signals, although this is merely one example, and inother embodiments, the CPU 406 may operate using electromagneticsignals, wireless signals, optical signals, acoustic signals,combinations thereof, or other suitable types of communications. Inaddition, in other embodiments, the pump 410 and/or transducer 408 mayrespond to electromagnetic signals, wireless signals, electric signals,optical signals, acoustic signals, combinations thereof, or othersuitable types of communications. For example, in an embodiment, the CPU406 may include a wireless transmitter configured to transmit wirelesssignals to a transport control system or a fluid transport controlsystem including at least the pump 410. The pump 410 may be configuredto receive and understand the wireless signals from the CPU 406. In oneembodiment, the pump may include, for example, an integrated wirelessreceiver. In this embodiment, however, the CPU 406 communicates with thepump 410 and the transducer 408 with the aid of a digital to analogconverter 407.

The digital to analog converter 407 is illustrated as being within theCPU 406, although this is merely exemplary. For instance, in practice,the CPU 406 may be separate from the digital to analog converter 407 andthe CPU 406 may connect to the digital to analog converter 407 by usinga bus or other communications link, and the digital to analog converter410 may then pass a signal on to the pump 410 or the transducer 408.While one digital to analog converter 407 is shown, in otherembodiments, the system 400 may include two, three, or any othersuitable number of digital to analog converters.

In one embodiment, control of the pump 410 and transducer 408 may beindependent. Thus, while a single communication line is illustrated asextending from the digital to analog converter 407, this is merely toavoid obscuring aspects of the figures. For instance, the digital toanalog converter 407 may have two, three, sixteen, or any other suitablenumber of analog output channels, such that multiple analog signals canbe output at a single time. Alternatively, multiple digital to analogconverters may be used.

The digital to analog converter 407 may supply an analog signal (e.g.,in the form of a voltage or current) directly to the pump 410 and/ortransducer 408, and the pump 410 may then control fluid flow from thereservoir 402 based on the analog signal, or the transducer 408 maycontrol flow of the air and/or other gases (e.g., argon, helium, and/ornitrogen) from the air source 404. In other embodiments, however, one ormore intermediary components may be positioned between the digital toanalog converter and the pump 410 and/or the transducer 408.

In FIG. 4, for instance, the digital to analog converter 407 maycommunicate directly with a signal filter 414 that then passes a signaltowards the pump 410 and another signal towards the transducer 408. Thesignal filter 414 may provide any number of different features. Forinstance, the signal filter 414 may condition signals so that unwantednoise is removed from the signal. Additionally or alternatively, thesignal filter 414 may shield inputs or outputs to prevent cross-talk orinterference, provide resistor-capacitor filtering, open thermocoupledetection, perform voltage attenuation, or provide any other suitable ordesired feature. In one embodiment, the signal filter 414 may include ageneral breadboard area for custom circuitry and sockets forinterchanging electrical components. In other embodiments, the system400 may include two, three, or any other suitable number of signalfilters. In other embodiments, the signal filter 414 may be omitted.

After the analog signals are passed through the signal filter 414, theillustrated embodiment shows that one communication line may then bedirected to the transducer 408. The analog communication may, as notedabove, be in the form of a voltage or current, such that as the voltageor current changes, the transducer 408 will modify the permitted airpressure flowing through the transducer 408. Air flow in this embodimentmay also be affected by other factors. For instance, the air may besupplied by an air source 404 in the form of a compressor, a tank, acontainer, a vessel, or accumulator using a pneumatic line. Thepneumatic line may connect to an air filter 418 that may substantiallyfilter out impurities. As schematically illustrated, the air filter 418may also include a drain through which impurities may be removed fromthe system 400. In an embodiment, the air filter 418 may also include aknob and a regulator to control and ensure that input to the transducer408 is within a specified range and/or to protect the transducer 408against sudden surges in pressure. A pneumatic line may also connect theair filter 418 to a pressure gauge 420. The pressure gauge 420 maydisplay the pressure within the pneumatic line up to the transducer 408.In other embodiments, the pressure gauge 420 may be in communicationwith the CPU 406 and may provide pressure measurements within thepneumatic line to the CPU 406. As will be appreciated in view of thedisclosure herein, the air filter 418 and/or pressure gauge 420 aremerely optional. Additionally, while illustrated separately, thepressure gauge 420 may also be integral with the filter 418.

An analog signal sent from the signal filter 414 may also be directedtowards the pump 410. In this embodiment, rather than sending the signaldirectly to the pump 410, the analog signal may be first received by apump controller 416. The pump controller 416 may be separate from thepump 410 (as shown) or the pump controller 416 may be integral with thepump 410. The pump controller 416 may be used for any desired purpose.For instance, the pump 410 may require particular types of inputsignals, and the digital to analog converter 407 and/or signal filter414 may be incapable of providing the necessary type of signal. In sucha case, the pump controller 416 may take the input signal from thesignal filter 414 and make the signal compatible with inputs to the pump410.

Regardless of whether the optional pump controller 416 is needed orused, the pump 410 may ultimately receive an analog or other type ofsignal. Based on the signal, the pump 410 may respond by influencingfluid flow conditions from the reservoir 402. For instance, the pump 410may control flow rate based on linear, parabolic, exponential or otherrelationship between a received voltage/current and a flow rate. In oneexample, the pump 410 may control flow rate based on a linearrelationship between a received voltage (V) and the flow rate (Q),wherein Q=47.292V−31.373, although this is exemplary only.

As fluid flows from the reservoir 402 and through the pump 410, thefluid may be directed through one or more hydraulic lines and towardsthe nozzle 412 that may interface with a cutting machine 424. Thecutting machine 424 may, for instance, be a CNC machining system.Inasmuch as the present embodiment may also include the air source 404which supplies air that is also directed towards the nozzle 412 and thecutting machine 424, the air may also be allowed to mix with the fluidso as to provide an atomized spray directed at the cutting zone. Inother embodiments, other gases may be allowed to mix with the fluid. Forexample, the air source 404 may provide air and/or other inert gaseswith the fluid so as to provide an atomized spray. To facilitate such aprocess, the system 400 of FIG. 4 includes an optional junction 422configured to place the flow from the pump 410 and the flow from thetransducer 408 in a substantially co-axial position that leads to thenozzle 412. In one embodiment, the junction 422 may be configured toreceive air and/or other gases from the transducer 408 and pass the airand/or other gases through an interior chamber of the junction 422. Theinterior chamber of the junction 422 may be in communication with thenozzle 412 (e.g., directly or using a pneumatic line). Fluid from thepump 410 may also pass through the junction 422, such as through ahydraulic line extending within the interior chamber of the junction 422in which the air flows. In one embodiment, as the hydraulic lineapproaches the nozzle 412, or even within the nozzle 412, the hydraulicline may allow the fluid to mix with the conveyed air. As a result, theair can atomize the fluid into droplets that are then carried by the airto form an atomized spray. The nozzle 412 may direct the dropletstowards the cutting zone within the cutting machine 424. In otherembodiments, the air flow may be stopped and a drip flow of lubricantand/or coolant may be directed from the nozzle 412 toward the cuttingzone. In other embodiments, the flow of fluid may be stopped and the airflow may be directed from the nozzle 412 toward the cutting zone to blowout debris, remove heat, or remove excess fluid. The nozzle 412 maycomprise a spray nozzle, a blow-off nozzle, a multi-channel nozzle, aprecision nozzle, a flat nozzle, combinations thereof, or any other typeof suitable nozzle. For example, the nozzle 412 may comprise amulti-channel nozzle having different flow channels in communicationwith the air flow and fluid flow in the junction 422. Such aconfiguration may allow the system 400 to direct the conveyed air and/orfluid toward the cutting zone simultaneously or intermittently inseparate and/or combined flow streams.

In one embodiment, the amount of cutting fluid may be anywhere betweenabout eight and about five hundred milliliters per hour, although thisis exemplary only. For instance, in other embodiments, the pump 410 maydeliver a greater or lesser maximum flow rate. By way of illustration,the pump 410 may have a maximum flow rate between about five and aboutone hundred twenty milliliters per hour. In still another embodiment,the pump 410 may deliver a flow rate between about ten and about fiftymilliliters per hour. As will be appreciated, if multiple reservoirs areused in the system 400, there may be multiple co-axial tubes to producedroplets of multiple fluids, or to create composite droplets (e.g.,coolant-on-lubricant or lubricant-on-coolant).

The system 400 may also include one or more input devices 426 that areused to obtain and/or return information to the CPU 406. For instance,in FIG. 4, an input device 426 is embodied within the cutting machine424, although this is merely exemplary. In accordance with one aspect,the combination of air and fluid directed into the cutting machine 424can lubricate and/or cool the cutting tool. As a result, the life of thecutting tool may be prolonged, and/or the cutting forces or surfacecharacteristics may be affected. In some cases, one or more of theseelements may be measured by the input device 426. For instance, theinput device may include a measuring device, a sensor, an encoder, adynamometer, or any other suitable type of input device. An exemplarydynamometer may include a charge amplifier that generates an analogvoltage or other signal that is related to the cutting force within thecutting machine 424. This signal may be in an analog form, and can beconveyed back to the CPU 406. For instance, the CPU 406 may include, orbe connected to, an analog to digital converter 428 that receives theanalog signal from the input device 426 and converts the analog signalto a digital signal that the CPU 406 can understand. Using the receivedinformation, the CPU 406 may then output its own signal(s) to the pump410 and/or transducer 408 to adjust the flow rate of a lubricant/coolantand/or the air pressure within the system 400.

In other embodiments, the input device 426 generally may be any numberof other input devices. For instance, as discussed herein, the inputdevice 426 may include a sensor or encoder that measures a flow within ahydraulic or pneumatic line in the system 400 and/or at a nozzle, so asto ensure that the desired pump 410 or transducer 408 output is beingobtained. The input device 426 may also be a controller of the cuttingmachine 424 or other device that conveys cutting code, materialinformation, cutting tool information, tool type information, cuttingprocess information, cutting temperature, tool-chip friction, tool-workfriction, work-piece geometry, environmental conditions, or any otherinformation relating to the cutting process occurring or scheduled tooccur within the cutting machine 424. In other embodiments, informationmay be provided to the CPU 406 via manual user input and/or automatedinput. For example, a user may manually input information into the CPU406 regarding cutting tool information or environmental conditions suchthat the CPU 406 may dynamically control operation of the pump 410and/or transducer 408 based on or in response to the user-input.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cutting fluid dispensing system 500 according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure. It will be appreciatedthat the system 500 may be configured similar to the system 400 of FIG.4 in various regards. Accordingly, the particular operation of exemplaryand optional components within the system 500 may be determined by areview of system 400 presented above.

As with the system 400 illustrated in FIG. 4, the system 500 may includea processing component or CPU 506 that may use a digital to analogconverter 507 to output signals, and an analog to digital converter 528to receive signals. In general, the output signals may correspond tosignals used by the CPU 506 to direct the operation or otherwise controlother components within the system 500, while the input signalsrepresent feedback or other information that the CPU 506 can use todetermine in what manner air (or other gases) and/or fluid flowconditions should or could be altered.

The analog signals may pass through a signal filter 514. One signal maypass from the signal filter 514 and to a transducer 508, both formingpart of a transport control system or an air transport control systemthat varies air flow conditions from an air supply system that mayinclude an air source 504, filter 518, and pressure gauge 520. The airsource 504 may be a compressor, accumulator, a pressurized tank, acontainer, a vessel, or any other suitable type of source of air and/orother gases (e.g., nitrogen, carbon dioxide, freon, and/or helium).Another signal may be directed to a first fluid transport control systemthat may include a pump controller 516 which passes the signal to a pump510. In other embodiments, the pump controller 516 may be omitted. Thepump 510 can pump fluid from a reservoir 502 at a rate generallycorresponding to the signal received from the pump controller 516. Stillanother signal may pass from the signal filter 514 to second fluidtransport control system including a pump controller 517 whichcommunicates with a pump 511. The pump 511 may be used to move fluidfrom a second reservoir 503.

The fluid in the reservoirs 502, 503 may be the same, or may bedifferent. Where different, the fluids may be different as to purpose,composition, any other manner, or in any combination of the foregoing.For instance, in one embodiment, a fluid in one of reservoirs 502, 503is a lubricant while the fluid in the other of the reservoirs 502, 503is a coolant. In another embodiment, both fluids are coolants or bothare lubricants. In still other embodiments, more than two reservoirs maybe included, and there can be multiple coolants, multiple lubricants, orany other combination of fluids usable by the system 500.

Fluids pumped by the pumps 510, 511 can each be passed throughrespective hydraulic lines and into a junction 522. The junction 522 mayalso receive air and/or other gases passing from the transducer 508. Inone embodiment, for instance, the air passing from the transducer 508may enter a hollow chamber within the junction 522. Optionally, one ormore of the hydraulic lines from the pumps 510, 511 can also passthrough the hollow chamber within the junction 522. Alternatively, thejunction 522 may have separate, non-overlapping chambers for each liquidor gaseous fluid. In still other embodiments, the junction 522 may beeliminated and the hydraulic lines of the pumps 510, 511 and thepneumatic line from the transducer 508 can ultimately join in some othermanner that allows the air to mix with the fluid(s) prior to or at thetime the fluid is applied to a cutting zone of the cutting machine 524(e.g., by mixing at the nozzle 512). In other embodiments, the system500 may be configured such that the CPU 506 may control and/or adjustlocations to which the nozzle 512 directs the one or more fluids withinthe cutting machine. In one embodiment, the nozzle 512 may dispense theone or more fluids to different locations using varying flow conditionsand/or controlled movement of the nozzle 512. For example, the CPU 506may instruct the pumps 510, 511, and/or the transducer 508 to vary flowrates such that the nozzle 512 may dispense a coolant and lubricantmixture from the pump 510 onto a race face of a cutting tool and alubricant from the pump 511 onto a flank face of the cutting tool.

A particular aspect of some of the embodiments disclosed herein is thatthey may be produced and applied to a CNC or other machining system,even as an after-market product. That is to say that the system 300, thesystem 400, and/or the system 500 may be modular so as to allowimplementation in both add-on/retrofit conditions, and as a part of newdesigns.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cutting fluid dispensing system 600 according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure. It will be appreciatedthat the system 600 may be configured similar to the system 400 of FIG.4 and/or the system 500 of FIG. 5 in various regards. Accordingly, theparticular operation of exemplary and optional components within thesystem 600 may be determined by a review of system 400 and system 500presented above.

The system 600 may include a CPU 606 that includes a wirelesstransceiver to output wireless signals and to receive wireless signals.In other embodiments, the CPU 606 may include a wireless transmitter anda wireless receiver. The wireless signals from the CPU 606 may includeany type of suitable wireless signal such as radio frequency signals,acoustic energy signals, optical energy signals, or other suitablesignals. In general, the output wireless signals may correspond tosignals used by the CPU 606 to direct the operation or otherwise controlother components within the system 600, while input wireless signals mayrepresent feedback or other information that the CPU 606 may use todetermine in what manner air or fluid flow should or could be altered.The wireless signals may be transmitted and/or received over large orshort distances.

One wireless signal may transmit from the CPU 606 to an air transportcontrol system that may include a transducer 608 (which may vary, forexample, flow rate, velocity, and/or pressure of air and/or othergases), a compressor 604, a filter 618, and a pressure gauge 620. Inother embodiments, the compressor 604 may be an accumulator, acontainer, a pressurized tank, a vessel, a cylinder, or other suitablesource of air and/or other gases. In one embodiment, the transducer 608may include a receiver that converts the wireless signal to a specific,desired air flow condition (e.g., pressure, flow rate, velocity).Another wireless signal may transmit from the CPU 606 to one or morefluid transport control systems that include at least a first pump 609,a second pump 610, or a third pump 611. The first pump 609 can pumpfluid from a first reservoir 601 at a rate generally corresponding tothe wireless signal received from the CPU 606. Another wireless signalmay transmit from the CPU 606 to the second pump 610. The second pump610 may be used to move fluid from a second reservoir 602. Still anotherwireless signal may transmit from the CPU 606 to the third pump 611. Thethird pump 611 may be used to move fluid from a third reservoir 603. Thefirst pump 609, the second pump 610, and the third pump 611 may each beconfigured to receive one or more wireless signals from the CPU 606. Asdiscussed above, the wireless signals may include instructions formodifying operation of the pumps. For example, each of the first pump609, the second pump 610, and the third pump 611 may include a wirelessreceiver (not shown) that may communicate with the respective pumpand/or a pump controller (not shown) of the respective pump, whichcarries out the instructions. In addition, the wireless receiver mayperform other functions, such as signal filtering. For example, thewireless receiver may also include circuitry for determining whether thewireless signals are authentic, and transmit the instructions to therespective pump or pump controller only if they are determined tooriginate from the CPU 606. The wireless receiver may also determinethat the respective pump cannot safely comply with the receivedinstructions from the CPU 606 because of, for example, unsafe pumpingconditions, and may decline to transmit the instructions to therespective pump or pump controller. Such a configuration may reduce thecost of operation of system 600 by reducing the need for extension wire,conduit, and other costly accessories.

The fluid in the first reservoir 601, the second reservoir 602, and thethird reservoir 603 may be the same, or may be different. Wheredifferent, the fluids may be different as to purpose, composition, anyother manner, or in any combination of the foregoing. For instance, inone embodiment, a fluid in the first reservoir 601 may be a lubricantwhile the fluid in the second reservoir 602 may be a coolant while thefluid in the third reservoir 603 may be a gel. In other embodiments, twoof the fluids may be lubricants and the other fluid may be coolant. Instill other embodiments, more than three reservoirs may be included, andthere can be multiple coolants, multiple lubricants, or any othercombination of fluids usable by the system 600.

Fluids pumped by the first pump 609, the second pump 610, and/or thethird pump 611 may be passed through respective hydraulic lines and intoa junction 622. The junction 622 may also receive air passing from thetransducer 608. In one embodiment, the air passing from the transducer608 may enter a hollow chamber within the junction 622. Optionally, oneor more of the hydraulic lines from the first pump 609, the second pump610, and/or the third pump 611 may also pass through the hollow chamberwithin the junction 622. In still other embodiments, the junction 622may be eliminated and the hydraulic lines and a pneumatic line from thetransducer 608 may ultimately join in some other manner that allows theair to mix with the fluid(s) prior to or at the time the fluid isapplied to a cutting zone within a cutting machine 624 (e.g., mixing ata nozzle 612).

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart generally describing one manner in whichembodiments disclosed herein, or which may be learned from thedisclosure herein, can be used to control devices and modulate fluids toadjust on the fly. In the illustrated method 700, a machining operationbegins (act 702). A step may also be present for controlling fluid flowto a machining system (step 704). The step may be initiated in responseto the machining operation beginning, may be initiated at the same timethe machining operation begins, or may occur before the machiningoperation.

As part of the step 704, a determination may be made as to one or moremachining parameters (act 706). For instance, the cutting force in acutting machine may be determined. One such manner this may bedetermined is using a dynamometer and/or charge amplifier. Otherparameters may include the temperature of the cutting tool, work piece,or other element within the cutting machine. Still other parametersinclude an identification of the tooling, cutting/machining process,work piece geometry, material, tool-chip friction, tool-work friction,or other aspect in use, or any combination of the foregoing. Theparameters may be monitored continuously, on request, periodically, orin another suitable manner. When a parameter changes (act 708) (e.g.,when an operation begins or a parameter within an operation changes),one or more of various outputs can be controlled. For instance,lubricant flow can be controlled based on the determined parameter (act710). Likewise, coolant flow, lubricant flow, or air pressure can becontrolled based on the determined parameter (acts 712, 714).

Determining how or to what extent the flow or pressure should becontrolled may be done in any number of different ways. For instance, inthe instance of a dynamometer that measures cutting force, an analog todigital converter may convert a received analog voltage signal to adigital signal that a processing component writes to a spreadsheet orquantifies as a direct value relating to cutting force. A protocol forthe decision making on dispensing for air and/or fluids can then beused. For instance, a machining database may be queried to determinewhat levels of fluid or air are suitable based on the measured cuttingforce. The query may also use multiple inputs. A query might, by way ofillustration, identify that the cutting force is a particular value, themachining operation is a “parting off,” the material is a specifiedstainless steel alloy, and the part geometry is of a certain type. Anyor all of these factors may influence the decision making, and adatabase, expert system, multi-dimensional analysis tool, artificialintelligence system, predictive model, or other component can factor anyor all of this information into its decision. Based on the relevantfactors, particular fluid and air flow rates can be determined andappropriate voltage signals can be sent to obtain the desired flow ratesand pressures. In one example, an artificial intelligence system isembedded in a cutting fluid delivery system and creates a continuouslearning protocol capable of constructing logic databases, such as forgiven material-tool combinations. Thereafter, when giving machininginputs that include parameters such as material, tool, and/or cuttingoperation, the logic database can be used to determine the amounts offluid required to obtain suitable machining process outputs each timethe same combination is used.

After controlling the desired one or more lubricant, coolant, or airflow rates, it may be determined whether a machining process (e.g.,parting off, deep groove turning, thread forming, etc.) has ended (act716). If the operation has not ended, the machining parameters maycontinue to be monitored or determined (act 706). Similarly, if there isno change in a machining parameter, the monitoring may continue. If,however, it is determined that an operation has ended, there may be oneor more other machining operations that are to take place. For instance,there may be a switch in tooling or a switch to another type of process(e.g., switch from a drilling operation to a thread forming operation).If it is determined that there is another process such that thecompleted machining operation was not the final operation (act 718), theprocess may begin again when the machining operation begins (act 702).If the final operation is determined to have been completed (act 718),the process may end by, for instance, shutting down the flow oflubricant(s), coolant(s), and air and/or other gases (act 720).

As used herein, user of the term “transport control system” may refer toan air transport control system, a gas transport control system, and/ora fluid transport control system. Air transport control systems and/orgas transport control systems may include, for example, air sources,digital-to-analog converters, transducers, signal filters, sensors,valves, input devices, air filters, and/or pressure gauges. In addition,fluid transport control systems may include pumps, controllers, signalfilters, input devices, sensors, valves, and/or digital-to-analogconverters, while this is exemplary only. In other embodiments, the airtransport control systems, the gas transport control systems, and/or thefluid transport control systems may include more or fewer components.

In accordance with one aspect, a minimal quantity cutting fluid (MQCF)dispensing system includes a fluid reservoir, a fluid transport controlsystem hydraulically linked to the fluid reservoir, an air storage, andan air transport control system pneumatically linked to the air storage.A processing component is communicatively linked to the fluid transportcontrol system and the air transport control system. The processingcomponent is configured to control air pressure using the air transportcontrol system and fluid flow using the fluid transport control system.Air pressure and fluid flow are independently controllable by theprocessing component. Air pressure and fluid flow are automatically anddynamically controllable by the processing component during a machiningoperation.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a fluid transport control system may include apump.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a fluid transport control system is configured tovary a flow rate based on a change to voltage or current supplied to thefluid transport control system.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, an air transport control system may be a valve.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a valve may be a transducer.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a transducer may be a voltage-to-pneumatictransducer.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, an air container may be a compressor.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, system may include a mechanism for combining afluid flowing at a fluid flow with air provided at an air pressure.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a mechanism for combining one or more fluids mayinclude a nozzle.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a mechanism for combining fluids may include ajunction.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a junction may include an output at which airpressure and fluid flow are separate and generally coaxial.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a reservoir is a first reservoir and a fluidtransport control system is a first fluid transport control system.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a system may include a second fluid reservoir anda second fluid transport control system hydraulically linked to thesecond fluid reservoir and communicatively linked to a processingcomponent.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a second fluid transport control system may becontrollable automatically by a processing component independent of afirst fluid transport control system, such that respective flow ratescontrolled by first and second fluid transport control systems areautomatically variable by the processing component in different degrees.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a processing component may include, or may be incommunication with, a digital-to-analog converter, the digital-to-analogconverter being configured to transform a first digital signal of theprocessing component into an analog voltage or current signal directedto a fluid transport control system and to transform a second digitalsignal of the processing component into an analog voltage or currentsignal directed to an air transport control system.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a system may include an input devicecommunicatively linked to a processing component.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, an input device determines physical values orcharacteristics represented within a cutting machine.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, an input determines one or more of cutting force,cutting operation, tool in use, work piece geometry, or work piecematerial.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a processing component is configured to receivephysical values or characteristics and, in response, automatically anddynamically change one or more of air pressure or fluid flow.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a CNC cutting machine is configured to receive atleast one fluid and air at a tool tip or other location within the CNCcutting machine.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a fluid reservoir, fluid transport control system,air storage, air transport control system, and processing component maybe modular components retrofitted to operate with a CNC cutting machine.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, processing component may be at least partiallyintegrated within one or more controllers or sensors of a CNC cuttingmachine.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a minimum quantity cutting fluid (MQCF) dispensingsystem may include a first fluid reservoir, a first pump hydraulicallyconfigured to retrieve a first fluid from the first fluid reservoir, asecond fluid reservoir, a second pump hydraulically configured toretrieve a second fluid from the second fluid reservoir, and aprocessing component may be communicatively coupled to the first pumpand second pump. The computing system may be configured to transmit afirst signal to the first pump and a second signal to the second pump,wherein the first and second signals are dynamically and independentlyvariable by the processing component.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a first fluid may be a cutting tool lubricant anda second fluid may be a cutting tool coolant.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a MQCF dispensing system may include more than twopumps connected to respective reservoirs for delivering more than twodifferent fluids.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, an air compressor may be pneumatically connectedto a valve.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a processing component may be communicativelycoupled to a valve and configured to transmit a third signal to a valve,wherein the third signal may be dynamically and independently changeableby the processing component and relative to first and second signals.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a first signal may control a flow rate of a firstfluid to a dispensing nozzle, a second signal may control a flow rate ofa second fluid to the dispensing nozzle, and a third signal may controlan air pressure of air at the dispensing nozzle.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, an air filter may be disposed between an aircompressor and a valve.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a processing component may include a digital toanalog converter configured to receive a digital input and produce firstand second signals as analog signals.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a processing component may include a signal filtercommunicatively coupled to a digital to analog converter and configuredto receive analog signals, the signal filter may be communicativelycoupled to a valve and configured to transmit a second analog signal tothe valve.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a processing component may include a controllerinterposing a signal filter and a first pump, the controller may beconfigured to receive a first analog signal and transform the firstanalog signal to be compatible with a first pump.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a system may include an input component configuredto obtain information including measurable data relative to a work piecein production within a cutting machine or data regarding the tool orprocess performed by a cutting machine, where the input component may beconfigured to communicate obtained information to a processingcomponent.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a processing component may be configured toautomatically and without user intervention use obtained information andmodify at least a first signal to thereby change a flow rate of a firstfluid by a degree not equal to a degree by which flow rate of a secondfluid is automatically changed.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a fluid delivery system may be used to initiate orprovide a near-dry machining process.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a method for machining a work piece anddynamically and independently controlling multiple fluid flow rates andpressures based on identified machining parameters may include beginninga machining operation within a machining system and performing a stepfor controlling fluid flow to a cutting tool or machined workpiece of amachining system.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a method for machining a work piece anddynamically and independently controlling multiple fluid flow rates andpressures based on identified machining parameters may include beginninga machining operation within a CNC machining system, initiating a flowof at least two of a lubricant, coolant, or air through a fluiddispensing system directed at a cutting tool of a CNC machining system,evaluating a machining parameter of the machining operation, determiningthat the machining parameter has changed, and in response to determiningthat the machining parameter has changed, dynamically and without userintervention changing two or more of a lubricant flow rate, a coolantflow rate, or an air pressure.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, at least two reservoirs may contain differentliquids.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, at least two pumps may each have an inputhydraulically connected to a respective reservoir, and may have ahydraulic output. Each pump may be configured to change a flow rate at arespective hydraulic output in response to a received analog voltagesignal.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a voltage-to-pneumatic transducer has a pneumaticinput connected to an air compressor, includes a pneumatic output, andis configured to change an air pressure at the pneumatic output inresponse to a received analog voltage signal.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, an air filter may include a combined drain andpressure gauge, and may interpose an air compressor and transducer.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a nozzle may receive hydraulic lines and apneumatic line and may combine the same into a single flow directed at acutting tool of a CNC machining system.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a control system may include a CPU configured toproduce one or more digital signals.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a control system may include a digital-to-analogconverter configured to receive one or more digital signals andtransform the one or more digital signals into at least three analogvoltage signals.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a control system may include a signal filterconfigured to receive at least three analog voltage signals and direct afirst analog voltage signal to a transducer.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a control system may include at least twocontrollers each of which may be configured to receive an analog voltagesignal and transform it into a signal understandable by a correspondingpump.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a control system may include a digital inputconfigured to determine a value representative of a cutting force at acutting tool and transmit the value to a CPU.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a control system may include an analog-to-digitalconverter configured to receive a cutting force value and/or power valueand convert the value to a digital signal.

In accordance with an aspect that may be combined with any one or moreother aspects herein, a control system and/or CPU may have logicaccessible thereto to modify flow rates and air pressure automatically,without user intervention, and dynamically in response to a determinedcutting force at a cutting tool.

The foregoing detailed description makes reference to specific exemplaryembodiments. However, it will be appreciated that various modificationsand changes can be made without departing from the scope contemplatedherein and as set forth in the appended claims. For example, machiningsystems and components may have different combinations of types andconfigurations of pumps, valves, reservoirs, controllers, converters,fluids, and the like. Such differences described herein are providedprimarily to illustrate that there exist a number of different mannersin which fluid control systems may be used, made, and modified withinthe scope of this disclosure. Different features have also been combinedin some embodiments to reduce the illustrations required, and are notintended to indicate that certain features are only compatible withother features. Thus, unless a feature is expressly indicated to be usedonly in connection with one or more other features, such features can beused interchangeably on any embodiment disclosed herein or modified inaccordance with the scope of the present disclosure, unless by theirnature the components are necessarily mutually exclusive. The detaileddescription and accompanying drawings are thus to be regarded as merelyillustrative, rather than as restrictive, and all such modifications orchanges, if any, are intended to fall within the scope of thisdisclosure.

More specifically, while illustrative exemplary embodiments in thisdisclosure have been more particularly described, the present disclosureis not limited to these embodiments, but includes any and allembodiments having modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., ofaspects across various embodiments), adaptations and/or alterations aswould be appreciated by those in the art based on the foregoing detaileddescription. The limitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadlybased on the language employed in the claims and not limited to examplesdescribed in the foregoing detailed description, which examples are tobe construed as non-exclusive. Moreover, any steps recited in any methodor process claims may be executed in any order and are not limited tothe order presented in the claims, unless otherwise stated in theclaims. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determinedsolely by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather thanby the descriptions and examples given above.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cutting fluid dispensing system, comprising: a plurality of fluid reservoirs containing a plurality of fluids; a plurality of fluid transport control systems hydraulically linked to said plurality of fluid reservoirs, said plurality of fluid transport control systems being configured to retrieve fluids from said fluid reservoirs; a processing component communicatively linked to said plurality of fluid transport control systems, wherein said processing component is configured to dynamically control: delivery of the plurality of fluids from the plurality of fluid reservoirs to a plurality of locations on a cutting machine; and a flow rate of one or more of the plurality of fluids.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein delivery of each fluid of the plurality of fluids from the plurality of fluid reservoirs to the plurality of locations on a cutting machine is independently controllable by said processing component.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the flow rates of each of the plurality of fluids is independently controllable by said processing component.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fluids includes liquids and gaseous fluids.
 5. A method for machining a work piece, the method comprising: beginning a machining operation within a CNC machining system; initiating a flow of a plurality of fluids through a transport control system directed at a cutting tool of said CNC machining system; evaluating a machining parameter of said machining operation; in response to the evaluation of the machining parameters, dynamically changing: a delivery location on said CNC machining system of one or more fluids of the plurality of fluids; and a fluid flow rate of one or more of the plurality of fluids. 